Holy mace of Lord Shiva returns to Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug 11 (UNI) The holy mace of Lord Shiva returned here after concluding prayers were performed at the Amarnath cave shrine on Sharavan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) day on August 9.

The holy mace along with more than 100 'sadhus' and devotees, led by its custodian Mahant Deepender Giri, had left here for the cave shrine on August 4 and reached there on Wednesday morning.

The return of the holy mace marks the end of the Amarnath pilgrimage this year.

According to a Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) spokesman, around three lakh devotees had the glimpse of ice Shivalingam (phallic symbol of Lord Shiva) during this year's pilgrimage which began on June 11.

However, the number this year was very low as compared to last year when about 4.5 lakh pilgrims visited the holy shrine. The SASB had expected more than five lakh devotees this year.

Forty-six pilgrims besides two locals died during the pilgrimage this year.

UNI AG VD RS2035